Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops

Highlighted under: Baking & Desserts

Indulge in the delightful taste of Starbucks with these homemade birthday cake pops. Perfect for celebrations or just a sweet treat!

Lucy Bennett

Created by

Lucy Bennett

Last updated on 2025-12-22T22:06:32.316Z

These Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops bring the coffee shop experience right into your kitchen. With a moist cake center and a smooth chocolate coating, they're perfect for any celebration or simply as a delightful treat when you're craving something sweet.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Rich vanilla flavor with a hint of almond
  • Fun and festive appearance, perfect for parties
  • Easy to make and customize with your favorite sprinkles

The Joy of Homemade Cake Pops

Creating cake pops at home allows you to customize flavors, colors, and decorations to suit any occasion. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, graduation, or simply enjoying a sweet treat, these cake pops bring a festive flair to your gatherings. Plus, making them from scratch means you can ensure the quality of the ingredients used, enhancing the overall flavor and experience.

Cake pops are not only delicious but also incredibly versatile. You can mix and match fillings and coatings to create unique combinations. For instance, try adding chocolate chips to the cake mixture or using dark chocolate for the coating. The possibilities are endless, allowing you to express your creativity while satisfying your sweet tooth.

Perfect for Any Celebration

These Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops are perfect for any celebration. Their fun and festive appearance makes them an instant hit at parties. Guests of all ages will delight in the bite-sized treats, making them a great addition to dessert tables or as party favors. The vibrant sprinkles add a cheerful touch, ensuring your cake pops stand out.

In addition to being visually appealing, cake pops can also serve as a fun activity. Involve friends and family in the decorating process, letting everyone choose their favorite sprinkles and toppings. This not only creates a bonding experience but also allows everyone to personalize their cake pops.

Storage and Serving Tips

Once your cake pops are decorated, proper storage is essential to maintain their freshness. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. If you want to make them ahead of time, you can prepare the cake balls and freeze them before coating them in chocolate. Just be sure to let them thaw before dipping to ensure a smooth coating.

When it comes time to serve your cake pops, consider using a cake pop stand for an attractive presentation. This not only keeps them upright but also adds a professional touch to your dessert display. Whether you’re serving them at a birthday party or a casual get-together, these cake pops are sure to impress your guests.

Ingredients

For the Cake Pops

  • 1 box vanilla cake mix
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1 cup buttercream frosting
  • 12 oz white chocolate melts
  • Sprinkles for decoration

Make sure to gather all ingredients before starting for a smoother preparation process!

Instructions

Bake the Cake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, water, vegetable oil, and almond extract. Mix until smooth. Pour the batter into a greased cake pan and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Allow to cool completely.

Prepare the Cake Pops

Crumble the cooled cake into a large bowl. Add in the buttercream frosting and mix until well combined. Scoop out small portions and roll them into balls.

Place the balls on a baking sheet and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up.

Coat the Cake Pops

Melt the white chocolate melts in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth. Dip the end of a lollipop stick into the melted chocolate, then insert it into the center of each cake pop. Dip the entire pop into the melted chocolate, allowing excess to drip off.

Quickly sprinkle with decorations before the chocolate sets.

Let Them Set

Place the decorated cake pops upright in a styrofoam block or a cake pop stand to let the chocolate harden. Once set, serve and enjoy your Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops!

Enjoy your delicious cake pops with family and friends!

Tips for Success

To achieve the best results with your cake pops, ensure that your cake is completely cooled before crumbling. This step is crucial as warm cake can lead to a mushy mixture that is difficult to shape. Additionally, be generous with the frosting; it helps bind the cake crumbs together for a perfect texture.

When melting the chocolate, be cautious not to overheat it. Stirring every 30 seconds helps maintain a smooth consistency. If the chocolate hardens too quickly, you can add a small amount of vegetable oil to bring it back to the desired texture.

Customizing Your Cake Pops

Feel free to get creative with your cake pop flavors and colors! Instead of vanilla cake, you could use chocolate or even red velvet for a richer taste. Experimenting with flavored extracts or adding zests can also enhance the overall flavor profile.

Decoration is where the fun really begins. Beyond sprinkles, consider drizzling contrasting chocolate or adding edible glitter for an extra touch of glam. Using themed decorations can help match the cake pops to your party’s theme, making them a perfect fit for any celebration.

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Questions About Recipes

→ Can I use a different cake flavor?

Absolutely! You can substitute the vanilla cake mix with chocolate or any other flavor you prefer.

→ How can I store leftover cake pops?

Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

→ Can I freeze cake pops?

Yes, you can freeze uncoated cake pops. Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe bag.

→ What type of chocolate can I use for coating?

You can use dark chocolate, milk chocolate or even colored candy melts for a fun twist!

Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops

Indulge in the delightful taste of Starbucks with these homemade birthday cake pops. Perfect for celebrations or just a sweet treat!

Prep Time30 minutes
Cooking Duration15 minutes
Overall Time45 minutes

Created by: Lucy Bennett

Recipe Type: Baking & Desserts

Skill Level: Intermediate

Final Quantity: 24 pops

What You'll Need

For the Cake Pops

  1. 1 box vanilla cake mix
  2. 3 eggs
  3. 1 cup water
  4. 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  5. 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
  6. 1 cup buttercream frosting
  7. 12 oz white chocolate melts
  8. Sprinkles for decoration

How-To Steps

Step 01

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, water, vegetable oil, and almond extract. Mix until smooth. Pour the batter into a greased cake pan and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool completely.

Step 02

Crumble the cooled cake into a large bowl. Add in the buttercream frosting and mix until well combined. Scoop out small portions and roll them into balls. Place the balls on a baking sheet and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up.

Step 03

Melt the white chocolate melts in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth. Dip the end of a lollipop stick into the melted chocolate, then insert it into the center of each cake pop. Dip the entire pop into the melted chocolate, allowing excess to drip off. Quickly sprinkle with decorations before the chocolate sets.

Step 04

Place the decorated cake pops upright in a styrofoam block or a cake pop stand to let the chocolate harden. Once set, serve and enjoy your Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops!

Nutritional Breakdown (Per Serving)

  • Calories: 120 kcal
  • Total Fat: 6g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 30mg
  • Sodium: 55mg
  • Total Carbohydrates: 16g
  • Dietary Fiber: 0g
  • Sugars: 10g
  • Protein: 1g